USA Pavilion 2012 Announces Student Ambassadors for World Expo 2012, Yeosu, Republic of Korea

--American Students Selected from 31 Universities and Colleges from Across the United States--

WASHINGTON, April 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Working to engage youth at the World Expo in Yeosu, Korea, USA Pavilion 2012, the organization charged with designing, building, and operating the USA Pavilion, announced today the 40 American college students from 19 states and the District of Columbia who will represent the United States as Student Ambassadors.  Serving from May through August 2012, the Student Ambassadors will interact with Pavilion guests in many capacities, including greeting visitors, government officials, and dignitaries and providing administrative, protocol, and programming support. 

The 2012 Student Ambassadors will receive one college credit and participate in a course entitled Making Culture Visible While Studying Abroad.  All Student Ambassadors are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and are proficient in Korean.  The students were selected from a diverse group of applicants by the official USA Pavilion university partner, the University of Virginia.

"The USA Pavilion 2012 Student Ambassadors represent the hopeful and determined spirit of the American people," said USA Pavilion Chief Spokesperson Philippe Cousteau.  "Together their unique perspectives and experiences will help bring the United States alive for visitors from Korea and around the globe."

"With more than 60 percent of the world's population under the age of 30, we must engage today's youth and tomorrow's leaders," said Ann Stock, Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs.  "Leading our people-to-people diplomacy efforts at the World Expo, our Student Ambassadors showcase the best of America's young people."

"I commend these young Americans for their willingness to serve as a bridge between our two nations," remarked Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt M. Campbell.  "They are playing an important part in further strengthening the bond between the United States and our important partner and ally, the Republic of Korea." 

The USA Pavilion 2012 Student Ambassadors

Brittany Alexander of Canandaigua, NY (George Washington University)

Brisbane Asekome of Farmington Hills, MI (Michigan State University)

Bernadette Asuelime of Loma Linda, CA (Claremont McKenna College)

Anne Clay of Tempe, AZ (Arizona State University)

Dana D'Amelio of Valley Cottage, NY (Harvard College)

Sara Davidson of Bethesda, MD (Bryn Mawr College)

Marisal Dobbins of Memphis, NY (Smith College)

Chelsea Gannon of Valatie, NY (Hobart & William Smith College)

Rachel Geller of Fairfax, VA (George Mason University)

Symone Gosby of Washington, DC (Smith College)

Joshua Grise of Lexington, KY (Pitzer College)

Erin Haney of Galesville, WI (University of Minnesota-Twin Cities)

Yo Han Hong of Fairfax, VA (University of Virginia)

Latoya Jackson of Memphis, TN (Washington University)

Eunice Jeon of Wilmette, IL (University of Illinois at Chicago)

Grace Jho of Las Vegas, NV (University of Nevada-Las Vegas)

Michael Joh of Harwinton, CT (University of Connecticut-Storrs)

Sangjun Kim of Harrington Park, NJ (George Washington University)

Sean Kim of Annandale, VA (University of Virginia)

Jae Lee of Charlottesville, VA (University of Virginia)

Sarah Lee of San Rafael, CA (University of Pennsylvania)

Yvonne May of Minneapolis, MN (University of Minnesota-Twin Cities)

Susan McClannahan of Prairie Village, KS (University of Kansas)

Jenna Morrison of Lake Stevens, WA (Everett Community College)

Suzie Oh of Richmond, VA (University of Virginia)

Seo Yoon Ok of Centreville, VA (Cornell University)

Eric Park of Santa Fe Springs, CA (University of Southern California)

Hana Park of Lisle, IL (American University)

Ji Won Park of Marietta, GA (Vanderbilt University)

Peter Park of Norwood, NJ (Syracuse University)

Bjorn Schwarzenbach of Hawthorn Woods, IL (Seton Hall University)

Sarah Slagle of Mesa, AZ (Arizona State University)

Joshua Stone of Fredericksburg, VA (University of Virginia)

Ellen Truchon of Panama City, FL (Florida State University)

George Vourderis of Jamaica Estates, NY (Hunter College)

Emilie Wardrip of Nelson, MN (St. Cloud State University)

Esther Weon of La Mirada, CA (University of Southern California)

Joyce Yoon of Scarsdale, NY (Columbia University)

So-Jung Youn of Falls Church, VA (College of William and Mary)

Brittany Young of Ladoga, IN (Indiana University-Bloomington)

About USA Pavilion 2012

Featuring the themes of Diversity, Wonder and Solutions, The USA Pavilion will share the voices and hopes of the American people with our friends and partners in Korea and around the globe.  The U.S. Department of State is partnering with explorer, environmentalist and social entrepreneur Philippe Cousteau Jr., to design and operate the USA Pavilion.  The 1,237- square meter exhibition space will house exhibits and programming that represents the unique and diverse nature of America's ocean environments and coastal communities.  For more information, please go to http://www.pavilion2012.org/.  Follow the USA Pavilion experience on Twitter @usapavilion2012 or like us on Facebook at facebook.com/usapavilion2012. 

SOURCE USA Pavilion 2012